Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, on Friday, expressed a firm opinion that the nation’s development is possible only with the evolution of rural areas and promised to take all gram panchayats in the State towards rapid progress.
Addressing a ‘grama sabha’ at Vanapalli in the Kothapeta Assembly segment, the CM said that the previous government had almost treated the sarpanches as mere ceremonial idols. “I am of a firm belief that just as an MLA is crucial for an Assembly segment, a sarpanch is equally important for village development,” Naidu said.
Promising to provide all basic amenities for every region, every village, and at all doorsteps across the State, the Chief Minister told the gathering that soon after the TDP-led NDA Government assumed charge, funds amounting to Rs 998 crore were released for the panchayats. “We are soon going to release another Rs 1,100 crore for the village panchayats,” he announced.
Chandrababu also assured the people that the work days under the NREGS will be increased from 15 crore to 21.5 crore.
Advising the people to stay away from those who cause harm to society, the CM, in an oblique reference to the former chief minister, Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy, said that the status of the Leader of the Opposition is something given by the people after electing a leader, and not under threats.
Chandrababu termed it historic to hold 13,326 grama sabhas on a single day and congratulated the Deputy Chief Minister, Pawan Kalyan, for proposing and undertaking this initiative. Regretting that the previous government completely neglected and debilitated panchayats in the State, the Chief Minister said that not even a single road was laid in any village in the State.
The CM made it clear that under Article 243A, the grama sabha’s consent is required for any functioning of a sarpanch and asked whether the previous government had conducted even a single grama sabha in any part of the State in five years. People were mobilised under threats by the previous government, and even a common man was not allowed to come out of the house.
Stating that a skill census is being undertaken since educated youth need skill development for employment, the CM felt that the youth will earn almost double revenue if they have proper skills. “We will certainly improve the skill of the youth,” he added.
Chandrababu announced that a new sand policy will be introduced on September 11 and said that sand will be directly delivered to homes if registered with the secretariat. Necessary funds will be released for all the local issues of Vanapalli, he added.
“Though I have previously called for observing family planning, now I am appealing to the people to increase the population by having more children,” Naidu said. Reiterating that Telugus should reach the highest position in the world, the Chief Minister said that every official should properly implement what the local public representatives want. “Ultimately, we all should work for the progress of the people,” Naidu added.
